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State agency warning pet owners to check home kennel credentials

The death of a dog at an unlicensed boarding facility in Redding has prompted a warning to pet owners to check business credentials.  The state Department of Agriculture says the recent death of a dog at an unlicensed, home-based boarding facility that led to animal-cruelty and other charges against a Redding woman demonstrates the need for all pet owners to be vigilant about ensuring their animals are being cared for in a licensed facility inspected by the Department. 

 

Kathryn Stergue, owner of Katie’s Critter Care, was charged last week in the June 16th incident in which one of her dogs attacked and killed a dog that was being boarded at her business.  The 49-year old had advertised her Redding Road business as being licensed and insured.  State records show, however, that the business was not licensed as a commercial kennel as required by law, which would have triggered inspections by the Department.

 

Potential customers can check if a pet boarding, “day care” or grooming facility is licensed by going to https://www.elicense.ct.gov.

 

The owner of the dog that was killed told officers that her family had boarded their two dogs with Stergue several other times without incident.  The two dogs were dropped off for boarding on June 10, and were to be picked up on June 22. The owner learned of the dog’s death when she received a call from Stergue just before 10 p.m. on June 21.  The owner’s family immediately went to Stergue’s house and retrieved the deceased dog, “Romi,” as well as their other dog.  Stergue had bandages on one of her arms at the time stemming from bites she sustained in the incident.

 

Stergue told officers that her dog “Jacob,” a 4-year-old neutered mixed-breed male, was responsible for the attack and had been taken by a friend to be euthanized by a veterinarian.  She could not provide the name of the veterinarian, and officers have not been able to confirm that the dog was euthanized.  Stergue also could not provide documentation that Jacob or either of her other two dogs had received Rabies vaccinations.

 

The owner said Stergue had told her that Jacob did not do well with other dogs, and would be kept away from her dogs while at the facility.

 

Stergue is free on $500 bond and is to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Aug. 25.

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